Allen 29er GP2 at Plas Heli Welsh National Sailing Academy

The second event of the UK 29er Allen Grand Prix Series 2026/27 saw 22 teams head to Plas Heli for a weekend of challenging conditions, close racing and a complete change of pace between the two days.

With eight races completed across the weekend, the fleet was tested by everything from powerful gusts and demanding boat handling to lighter winds and a developing sea breeze.

Saturday's racing took place in challenging conditions, with consistent ENE winds and gusts reaching 25 knots. The forecast had highlighted a windy day with a small amount of sunshine, and the conditions on the racecourse certainly provided a stern test for the fleet.

In the strong breeze, sailors needed to balance boat speed with control, managing the gusts and keeping the boats moving through the chop. There were plenty of opportunities for some send-it moments, but consistency and keeping the boat upright were more important.

Race management completed four races in the demanding conditions, giving the fleet a challenging opening day and an early opportunity to establish themselves in the standings.

Ben and Tom made an exceptional start to their regatta, setting the standard with three consecutive bullets before adding a second in Race 4. Their score of just five points from the opening four races gave them a strong overnight lead and demonstrated impressive consistency in the testing conditions.

Will and Fin also enjoyed a sendy opening day. With results of 2, 3, 3 and 6, they finished Saturday in second overall on 14 points, keeping themselves firmly in the fight at the front of the fleet.

Cass and Louis completed the overnight top three. After a fourth in Race 1 and a more difficult tenth in Race 2, they responded with a second and a race win to finish the day on 17 points. Their strong finish to the opening series kept them well within reach of the leaders.

Jonny and Will sat just behind in fourth overnight, while Eliana and Maisie were fifth and jasper and joel sat in sixth. With the fleet having faced such demanding conditions, the stage was set for an interesting second day.

Sunday brought a substantial change in conditions. After a lighter start, a sea breeze gradually filled in throughout the day, creating a very different challenge from Saturday's powerful gusts. The forecast had suggested a chilly morning followed by strengthening winds, the developing breeze allowed the fleet to get racing and complete the remaining four races.

After a day in which boat handling and control had been paramount, the focus shifted towards making the most of the available pressure, finding the breeze and maintaining momentum as the breeze developed.

Ben and Tom carried their form into Sunday to secure the overall victory. A second in Race 5 was followed by a fifth in Race 6, which became their discard, before they returned to the top of the fleet with a race win in Race 7 and a third in the final race. With three race wins across the regatta and a net total of just 11 points, they finished 12 points clear of the runners-up.

Jonny and Will produced an impressive Sunday performance to jump into second overall. They opened the day with a bullet in Race 5, followed by thirds in both Races 6 and 7 and a fourth in the final race. Their consistent results across the weekend, combined with the discard of an 11th from Saturday, gave them 23 net points. They also took the Junior category title.

Will and Fin completed the overall podium in third. Their second place in Race 6, alongside fourth and fifth places in the final two races, helped them hold on to third despite a difficult tenth in Race 5, which became their discard. They finished on 25 net points, only two points behind Jonny and Will.

Cass and Louis secured fourth overall on 30 net points. After counting a 13th in Race 5 as their discard, they remained consistent through the final three races before finishing the regatta in style with a victory in Race 8.

Eliana and Maisie continued their strong form to finish fifth overall and claim the Female category title. After a solid opening day, they added a fourth in Race 5, discarded an 11th in Race 6 and then produced an excellent second place in Race 7. A sixth in the final race secured fifth overall on 36 net points.

Jasper and Joel rounded off the overall top six with 48 net points. A third in Race 5 provided a strong start to Sunday, and they maintained their position with eighth and ninth places in the final two races after discarding a 14th.

There were plenty of other notable performances across the fleet.

Monty and Jo Walker finished seventh overall and took the Mixed category title on 49 net points. Their weekend included a third in Race 4 and a consistent set of results across Sunday.

Isla and Liv finished eighth overall and second in the Female category, while Alex Saunders and Scarlett Gladman took second in the Mixed category, finishing ninth overall.

Tom Whitehead and Daniel Whitehead produced one of Sunday's standout individual results, winning Race 6 before finishing tenth overall. Phoebe Greenhalgh and Megs Gowers also ended the regatta on a high, taking an excellent second place in the final race to finish 12th overall and third in the Female category.

Across the fleet, the contrast between the two days provided a valuable test of adaptability. The ability to adjust to changing wind strength and pressure, recover from difficult races and make the most of the discard proved important in the final standings.

Congratulations to Ben and Tom on their overall victory!

A huge well done to every sailor who took on Saturday's mega conditions and returned on Sunday ready to tackle a very different set of challenges. Completing eight races over the weekend provided a great test of the fleet and a strong opportunity for teams to build experience ahead of the next events.

A big thank you to Plas Heli for hosting GP2, as well as the race management team, safety crews and volunteers whose hard work made the event possible. Additional thanks to the committee who make these events possible, and Allen, who bring you our GP series.

The fleet now looks ahead to the Ovington Championships in Weymouth in just over a month's time, with plenty of momentum and lessons from a memorable weekend in Pwllheli. For more updates on our GP series and events program, as well as event coverage and more, please check out our Instagram and Facebook pages: @UK29erclassassociation.